Review: Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King

In a mega-stakes, high-suspense race against time, three of the most unlikely and winning heroes Stephen King has ever created try to stop a lone killer from blowing up thousands.

In the frigid pre-dawn hours, in a distressed Midwestern city, hundreds of desperate unemployed folks are lined up for a spot at a job fair. Without warning, a lone driver plows through the crowd in a stolen Mercedes, running over the innocent, backing up, and charging again. Eight people are killed; fifteen are wounded. The killer escapes.

In another part of town, months later, a retired cop named Bill Hodges is still haunted by the unsolved crime. When he gets a crazed letter from someone who self-identifies as the “perk” and threatens an even more diabolical attack, Hodges wakes up from his depressed and vacant retirement, hell-bent on preventing another tragedy.

Brady Hartsfield lives with his alcoholic mother in the house where he was born. He loved the feel of death under the wheels of the Mercedes, and he wants that rush again. Only Bill Hodges, with a couple of highly unlikely allies, can apprehend the killer before he strikes again. And they have no time to lose, because Brady’s next mission, if it succeeds, will kill or maim thousands.

Mr. Mercedes is a war between good and evil, from the master of suspense whose insight into the mind of this obsessed, insane killer is chilling and unforgettable.

I haven’t had this much fun reading a book in a while. Mr. Mercedes is far from my usual read (in case you didn’t know, this girl loves romance), but I fell in love with this wild ride from the opening scene, and I was totally captivated the whole ride through.

I read this last year and had no idea how to review it, but I’m making myself put thoughts to paper this time around. Mr. Mercedes is the definition of thrilling and entertaining, with enough thoughtfulness and introspection thrown in to make this more than a shallow read. Bill Hodges and Brady Hartfield are insanely compelling characters: smart, insightful, brilliant, and multi-faceted. Yes, I think the psycho is smart, insightful, brilliant, and multi-faceted. He has to be to make him unforgettable, and contrast him against the veteran cop who is a vigilante for justice, and you have a highly addicting read.

Mr. King’s writing is rhythmic and distinctive; there are times it almost feels like a rap. I love it. This story unfolds at such a quick pace (something I think is helped by the short chapters), and 400+ pages fly by. I’m definitely on board for the other books in this series, if they’re as fun as this one. I also need to read more mysteries and thrillers if they’re as cool as this one.

I highly recommend this book, to all readers alike. Mr. Mercedes makes the mind race, the heart break, the soul shake, and even the stomach ache. It is a must-read, page-turner for fans of good books.

Audiobook notes: I thought the narrator was fantastic and did a great job with each voice, especially Brady’s. I could hear the crazy. I loved his cadence and the mood he set with each scene. I listened on speed 1.25x.